Line: San Diego State by 5
Series record: First meeting
What’s at stake: SDSU is looking for a second straight postseason win after beating Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl in 2010. Louisiana-Lafayette seeks its first bowl victory as a Division I FBS program. The Ragin’ Cajuns’ last bowl appearance came in the Grantland Rice Bowl 41 years go.
Key matchup: The Aztecs’ pressure defense, which racked up 28 sacks this season, against dual-threat Ragin’ Cajuns QB Blaine Gautier, who passed for 2,488 yards and 20 TDs, and rushed for 464 yards and three TDs.
Players to watch:
Aztecs RB Ronnie Hillman. The sophomore ranks third in the nation in rushing with 138 yards per game. In his last two games, he has carried 61 times for 370 yards and six touchdowns.
Ragin’ Cajuns TE Ladarius Green. His 21 career receiving TDs lead all active tight ends nationally. This season, the 6-foot-6, 236-pound senior caught 46 passes for 485 yards and seven TDs.
Facts & figures: Of SDSU’s four losses, three came against teams ranked in the top 18 of the BCS standings (No. 7 Boise State, No. 13 Michigan and No. 18 TCU). … The Cajuns reached eight wins for the first time since 1993, when freshman Jake Delhomme was their QB. The Associated Press
